Disability is not Inability

9.4 Female Youth with disabilities

The female youth constitute 52% of total youth.

Sexual activity among the youth begins quite early in their life. Over 44% of girls between 15-19 years old have had sexual intercourse. Sex at
this age has adverse effects on health, besides other socio-economic consequences.

The stigma related to disability adds a unique dimension to access to anything from parental care, to school, health and life opportunities.

Studies have shown that most adolescent pregnancies (around 90%) are unplanned. High level of unprotected sexual activity exposes the female youth to the risk of contracting STIs, including HIV/AIDS.

The lower level of education for girls, coupled with social cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced early marriages, put the female youth at a disadvantage.

They have led to low participation and representation of young women in decision-making.

Traditional gender roles overburden the female youth, limiting their opportunities for progression and selfdevelopment.

Source Youth Policy Paper
disabilitykenya adoptions.

Story date.

Category: Community

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